USING A WHEELCHAIR

wendylou
wendylou Member Posts: 88
edited 18. Jun 2009, 13:17 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone I hope someone can help me to stop feeling guilty and weak but I have o/a of the hips early stages I am in a lot of pain most of the time, when I go out I use a stick but I still cannot walk far I don't have a car so I use the bus but I am finding it very painful to walk to far so I give up and go home and it spoils my day out, so I have decided to buy a wheelchair so I can stay out a bit longer, my hubby said he does not mind pushing me around as he see's how much pain im'e in but I can't help feeling guilty and weak so can someone help me to stop feeling like this, stupid I know but I can't help it.WENDYLOU :(

Comments

  • caravancollie
    caravancollie Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    wendylou wrote:
    Hi everyone I hope someone can help me to stop feeling guilty and weak but I have o/a of the hips early stages I am in a lot of pain most of the time, when I go out I use a stick but I still cannot walk far I don't have a car so I use the bus but I am finding it very painful to walk to far so I give up and go home and it spoils my day out, so I have decided to buy a wheelchair so I can stay out a bit longer, my hubby said he does not mind pushing me around as he see's how much pain im'e in but I can't help feeling guilty and weak so can someone help me to stop feeling like this, stupid I know but I can't help it.WENDYLOU :(

    Hi Wendylou
    It's much better for you to enjoy a good day out in a wheechair than to sit at home feeling guilty especially when you have a willing volunteer to push you. don't worry about what others might think, you are the important one. I borrowed a wheelchair to go for some retail therapy 10 days after my hip replacement. I felt 100 times better when we came home. O/H was shattered though but said it was worth it to see me happy. Now. 7 weeks post op and can get around well with a crutch
    Take care
    Elaine
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    just think how much shopping your other half can hang on the back save him carrying them would b so good of u to help him out like this. if u need one get one quality of life is what counts, life is to short to sit in side watching it go past. go 4 it girl and let us all know the great trips u have good luck :D
    val
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,338
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hey Wendy
    You have to do it girl! This swill change your lives (hubby too) for the better! You can both do more and for longer. It will be better for both of you.
    Your hips can have a bit of a rest and save them for when you need them in the house.
    Guilt must not come into it!! No way!!!
    You NEED it you use it. You will be so glad - I promise! :wink:
    Take care
    Toni x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello, If a wheel chair helps then thats the answer. I know my Mum had arthritis of the spine and she couldn't walk more than a few yards outside, so the occy got her a wheel chair . At first she was too embarressed to use it, but we went on holiday and Mum was quite happy as know one new her :roll: After a couple of weeks, we went home and she was fine using it and we took her shopping in the city. One problem with Mum was walking round the clothes department, if she saw something she liked she used the handle of her walking stick to hook them off the rail. In the end it was me that ended up embarressed!!! :oops: :D

    No, you have what you need and get on and enjoy life! Love Sue
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wendylou

    Don't feel weak or guilty you aren't either. I've used a wheelchair for years and you get much more freedom. I have a self propelling wheelchair so I can push myself. When I get tired my hubby takes over, best of both worlds. It was a bit odd at first but you soon get used to it. I have just bought a mobility scooter but I still use the chair.

    Honestly it will change your life :)

    Love Vonski x
  • jenzie06
    jenzie06 Member Posts: 708
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hey Wendylou,
    I'm only 26 and have recently got myself a wheelchair as my feet are badly affected by RA. The RA and Fibro also make me really tired and there is no way I could even have a wander round the shops (my OH wasn't complaining as he hates shopping!).
    I don't use the wheelchair all the time, only when I'm bad or I know that I'm going to have to be on my feet a lot. My OH is fine with pushing me about, although he tends to try and do jumps with me and the wheelchair but then again he's into extreme sports (I'm into extreme spectating!). My OH also shouts 'its a miracle' if I ever get out of the chair when we're out. You can have a lot of fun with it!!
    Having the wheelchair means that I can join in a lot more with going out and about. So I really recommend it! Even if you have it, you don't always have to use it if you're having a good day.
  • mistywillow
    mistywillow Member Posts: 711
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    wendylou wrote:
    Hi everyone I hope someone can help me to stop feeling guilty and weak but I have o/a of the hips early stages I am in a lot of pain most of the time, when I go out I use a stick but I still cannot walk far I don't have a car so I use the bus but I am finding it very painful to walk to far so I give up and go home and it spoils my day out, so I have decided to buy a wheelchair so I can stay out a bit longer, my hubby said he does not mind pushing me around as he see's how much pain im'e in but I can't help feeling guilty and weak so can someone help me to stop feeling like this, stupid I know but I can't help it.WENDYLOU :(


    Hi Wendylou
    Its not weak trying to overcome a difficulty that you are presented with. If the chair means that you can go out and enjoy yourself because you are in less pain then that has to be good both for you and your hubby. I did a post a while back about how our partners cope with our arthur and really the upshot is that in the most they want to help us to live as active a life as possible (they dont mind the extra calories that they burn off pushing a wheelchair either!!)
    Go for it, guilt shouldnt be part of your decision, you didnt chose arthur, he chose you sadly! :roll:
    love Gillx
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,309
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello Wendylou.
    why dont you have a scoota they are so much fun as long as you get out it's boring staying in for to long. joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • ninakang
    ninakang Member Posts: 1,367
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Wendylou

    Get yourself a scooter/ wheelchair. We can't all be wrong :-)

    Nx
  • jaspercat
    jaspercat Member Posts: 1,238
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wendylou, I didn't want to admit that I needed a wheelchair and struggled on a long time, I finally bought myself one and don't regret it for an instant, I have recently had my father in law in hospital and the chair was very important to me, go on get one organised love Jaspercatxx
  • jeannie2
    jeannie2 Member Posts: 135
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wendylou,
    I felt like this when I bought one six months ago - don't use it all the time, but when we need to go somewhere and I know I'm going to be a 'drag'. I have RA and OA of the ankles (need a fusion).

    I fought against it for a long time and then realised that my husband needed to walk at his own pace. He needs to get proper exercise, to use his leg muscles and keep the circulation in his legs in order. I figured it was not fair to continually make him walk at my pace, so I caved in. Now we make jokes about it, like can you please go round that post and would you please not 'bump' me off the highest part of the kerb. I've found that lots of people talk to me who wouldn't normally bother, when I've said 'thanks for letting me past' or reaching for something on a shelf.

    Once we get where we are going, I get out of the chair and use it as a walker. Don't feel weak or whatever .... if you have OA you are simply saving the wear and tear on your bones. Hope this helps .... it's an awful thing to get used to.
    Jeannie S
  • suncatcher
    suncatcher Member Posts: 2,174
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I used one of those electric scooters in the shopping mall today for first time ever i get fatiued and i found shopping tiring and have only done short shops for a few years. I was out all day and was a considerably less tired and hasd less pain today. I could do with L plates as i ran into a few shopping displayes and revesed into the side trying to get out of a lift much to the amusement of my friend who is a permanant wheel chair user :lol::lol::lol: :oops: :oops:. My day was a much better one and my friend has given me some confidance to use one again and i quite enjoyed myself. I hope you will get the confidance to go in a chair it makes a big differance.
    My hubby was expecting a collapsted heap on bed tired and in pain and was surprised to find me awake and happy he was over joyed. so go for it i say best wishes joanne
    Joanne
  • wendylou
    wendylou Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi everyone thanks for your lovely replies I recieved you have all boosted me no end :D sadly when I bought my wheelchair and got it home I found out the feet rest are missing so I have to sort that out but I will get there :? anyway thank-you all again and also you cheered me up no end me and my hubby were laughing our heads off your so funny with some of the replies :lol: I don't feel so weak and guilty know after all of your encouragement. love to all.Wendylou :D xxxxxxxx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,338
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wendy
    That IS good news! So glad you are feeling beter about it! :):)
    Bit off the foot-rests being AWOL though....hmmmph!
    Soon have it sorted and you will be on your way and getting your life back! :wink:
    Take care
    Toni x
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wendylou

    Glad you will be out and about soon. Let us know how it goes, we are nosey like that :lol:

    Love
    Vonski x
  • wendylou
    wendylou Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    vonski wrote:
    Hi Wendylou

    Glad you will be out and about soon. Let us know how it goes, we are nosey like that :lol:

    Love
    Vonski x
    Hi Von well I made it I went out for the first time in my wheelchair I live in the outskirts of liverpool so its an half an hour on the bus to town, i must admit i felt a bit strange when getting on the bus people seem to stare but still i done it, I felt sorry for my poor hubby though he needs L plates getting of the bus instead of tilting me backwards he let me go forwards and got a bit stuck :roll: luckily someone helped me to get straight, anyway i went i bit further around doing my retail therapy and it was so nice when i got home not to be in so much pain and drawn out, but rather a bit warm. thanks for your encouragement Wendylou :lol: xx
  • wendylou
    wendylou Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi everyone well I did it I made the break and went out in my wheelchair for the first time and i must say i was a bit nervous as my Hubby needs L plates bless him and also it was a rather warm day but he took me over every bump and got me stuck getting off the bus, :roll: anyway i went a bit further around town and done my retail therapy and it was nice to get home and not feel in a lot of pain enjoyed myself thank-you everyone for your support love to all. Wendylou :lol: xxxxx
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wendylou

    Glad you made it :):) It does make a real difference, you will get the odd funny look or sometimes people seem to walk at you but that can happen anyway. Just enjoy it.

    My hubby is exactly the same and we do have a few words :) He thinks he has room to get through or round and I don't. We normally end up laughing but it's a bit weird being pushed around by someone else. You'll both get used to it and you will enjoy the freedom and like you say much less pain :):):)

    Love
    Vonski x
  • angel1
    angel1 Bots Posts: 1,464
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wendylou, So glad all went well for you. Did you go round Liverpool 1? I`m not far from you, but don`t get into town much now. Not with all the new construction work going on, and parking is so expensive. Still a fabulous city......Much love....Ange.
  • wendylou
    wendylou Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    angel1 wrote:
    Hi Wendylou, So glad all went well for you. Did you go round Liverpool 1? I`m not far from you, but don`t get into town much now. Not with all the new construction work going on, and parking is so expensive. Still a fabulous city......Much love....Ange.
    Hi Angel no i have not been to liverpool 1 yet, i will go sometime, I am into card making so i go to clayton square and Bold street because im'e addicted to the paper mill card shop in clayton square its like a sweety shop to me i love going there and i agree it is a great city, i want to go to the Pier Head soon to see the new canal and how it's looking down there, Im'e proud of our city. love Wendylou.xx
  • mrsdalloway
    mrsdalloway Member Posts: 161
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi wendy on just read the posts and it brought back memories of going to Glasgow before my tkr. We visited the science museum and it was massive, I knew that there was no way I was going to be able to make it around and the kids were really looking forward to it. In the reception they had wheelchairs to borrow and gladly let me use one. That was a strange experience so I can totally relate, especially when the kids were letting me go at the top of ramps and thought it was hilarious! I say use whatever gets you through the day with less pain and sane, ooh that rhymes! also, hello to a fellow card maker, we should maybe have a separate craft section on here??
  • suncatcher
    suncatcher Member Posts: 2,174
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hi wendy glad to hear you got out tell hubby he needs to go behind the chair and walk back wards down slops else you'll be wizzing off we had a very steep slope by a home i worked in as carer and i had to do that you had to be strong which i was once.
    good luck on your adventure out side and retail thereopy works wonders best wishes joanne
    Joanne

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